Conte Calls For ‘Right Way’ At Chelsea

Italian Under Pressure

Chelsea expect manager Antonio Conte to see out the current season before parting with him in the summer.

The Italian has come under increasing pressure following a run of just three wins in ten games that have seen the side fall outside the top four in the Premier League. The defending champions were humbled 4-1 at Watford last Monday night leading to speculation about a possible sacking. But Conte admits that his future is under threat.

“It seems that we are fighting for the relegation zone,” Conte said at a press conference ahead of Monday night’s home game with bottom-of-the-table West Bromwich Albion.

“In my opinion, you continue to work with a manager or coach not because of what he achieves in one season, but because you trust in him. Then you build something with him. But it doesn’t mean you have to win something, because that’s not simple. Not easy – especially in England, it’s not simple.

“But in my vision, you can win, but, at the same time, the club might not be happy to stay with you. For this reason, it’s right to send the coach away. At the same time, you can trust in a coach and his work and continue with him even if you don’t win, and try and build something important. There are two ways. There is a stupid way and an intelligent way.”

Conte didn’t allude to what he thinks is the Chelsea way. However, an exit from the Stamford Bridge looks to be on the cards for the former Juventus coach with the Italian FA set to offer him an escape route back to his old job with the country’s national team.

“If the club decides to send me away, I don’t know when. It’ll be because they’re not happy with my work,” he added.